Change.org petition: "Democratic National Convention Committee: Move the Convention OUT of NC"

[Pab Sungenis]

https://www.change.org/petitions/democratic-national-convention-committee-move-the-national-convention-out-of-north-carolina

[RandySF]

1. With three months left?

It's logistically impossible at this point.

[Pab Sungenis]

5. Bullshit.

Conventions have been moved with even less notice. Witness: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_Republican_National_Convention

[Buddyblazon]

19. Not going to happen...

in this day and age.

All the events going on. I stage manage a venue here in Denver. We had a week solid of politicians, celebrities, rock stars in our venue. We alone had the Ragin' Cajun, Harry Shearer, Randy Newman, Jessica Alba, Hayden Panitierre, The Black Eyed Peas (and a whole slew more) in our venue.

All those hundreds of events across the city have most likely signed contracts with venues for rental. Back out now....still going to have to pay boatloads of money.

The Event world is a lot different then it was in '72.

[Bennyboy]

2. signed. (NT)

[mmonk]

3. That would be the cherry on top of the NC GOP's efforts.

[JoePhilly]

29. ^^^^ THIS ^^^^

That's exactly what they want.

They want the Dems to give up on NC and just let the GOP have it.

No.

[bluestateguy]

4. Charlotte-Mecklenberg voted NO 54% on Amendment 1

http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/Mecklenburg/36656/80739/en/summary.html

scroll down to the bottom

We would not punish San Francisco if they had a convention scheduled (75% NO on Proposition 8) for how the whole state of California voted in 2008.

[Pab Sungenis]

8. Yes, I would.

The convention generates state tax revenue. I don't want my political donations to our party going to fund a state that enshrines bigotry.

[PFunk]

12. Yes.

[JoePhilly]

31. Wake County NC - Voted 56.76% AGAINST Amendment 1

http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/Wake/36688/80463/en/summary.html

The right wingers took advantage of a low turn out primary to pass this nonsense.

[NYC Liberal]

6. It's too late at this point. But Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is, voted against the amendment

So, there's that at (the very) least.

[Pab Sungenis]

7. It's not too late.

The Republicans moved from San Diego to Miami in less time in 1972. We can and should move this time.

No more Democratic dollars going to support bigotry.

[NYC Liberal]

9. Well I'm all for it if it's possible.

The other cities on the short list were Cleveland, Minneapolis, and St. Louis.

[Pab Sungenis]

10. Move it to St. Louis.

It might help put Missouri in play.

[Bolo Boffin]

13. Missouri has amended its constitution to ban same sex marriage as well.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5592789/ns/politics/t/missouri-voters-approve-gay-marriage-ban/#.T6n1hLNQ4oQ

[jberryhill]

15. Because the Missouri marriage ban is more to your liking?

WTF kind of logic is that?

[Pab Sungenis]

21. Do you not understand the difference?

Were Virginia and South Africa equivalent because both banned interracial marriage?

It is a matter of degrees.

[jberryhill]

16. And in which of those places is same sex marriage recognized?

None.

Oh, hey, let's move the convention from one place which doesn't recognize same sex marriage, to another place which doesn't.

That's brilliant!

[Pab Sungenis]

22. Those laws are nothing

compared to what NC just passed.

[JoePhilly]

32. Wake County was also AGAINST.

[yodermon]

11. well excuse the ever-living fuck out of me for even living here then.

goddammit wtf does this accomplish.

"hey you amendment 1 voters, 61% , yeah, we don't want your filthy votes for Obama this fall. That'll show you"

[Bolo Boffin]

14. What does this accomplish?

Well, it's a great way to make the NC vote about "Obama is worse than Bush he failed us!"

[Pab Sungenis]

20. So the only people you don't care about feeling the Democrats failed them

are the gays?

[Bolo Boffin]

36. Since I am one of "the gays" as you put it

I don't know what the everliving fuck you're talking about.

[Mkap]

17. nc dumb

NC is stupid (will the ones who voted for the amendment are) cause NC law already bans gay marriage so basically they passed an amendment that bans civil unions for straight couple

Great job NC....your sooooo smart

SIGNED

[bluedigger]

18. I signed.

Do I think they will move the convention?

No, I do not.

Do I think this topic will brought up over and over and over the next few months?

Yes, yes I do.

[Pab Sungenis]

25. Do you feel it shouldn't?

Curious.

[bluedigger]

42. "it shouldn't"?

Your question is a little vague. I'll try to expound my answer if you feel I wasn't clear enough.

People have given some valid reasons why the convention won't be moved. Time is a consideration - it's not 1972 anymore and there are a lot more technical and logistical issues today. The fact the main alternatives are no more worthy in regards to human rights than NC is a good point as well. There is little point in being vindictive for vindictiveness' sake alone.

That leaves the other possible "it" to be discussion of the human rights issue, which is how I view this. The more we keep bringing up this disgraceful legislation and it's harmful and hateful effects the better. The fact that we lost this battle is encouraging to me. It wasn't that long ago that the very idea of fighting this battle in NC was farfetched. Even though we lost a battle at the polls this time, we are gradually and inexorably winning the war for public opinion through the media. It is just a matter of time until the battles swing our way as well, and using petitions such as this will help carry that fight.

Are we clear now?

[bigtree]

24. republican wet dream

we don't need to run from NC to oppose this vote. We can stay right there and fight it from the elevation of our convention.

[Pab Sungenis]

26. Do you think that will happen?

Our party won't even put the issue up for a platform vote.

[bigtree]

30. I doubt that means party activists will be silent on the issue of gay marraige at the convention

. . .even if we aren't able to manage inclusion of some sort of affirmation or approval of marriage rights in the platform, I'm sure there will be quite a lot of folks there trying their hearts out. I'd expect a few folks to speak out from the podium. It's not as if our party has banned talking about it.

[Pab Sungenis]

33. And while we are up there bemoaning this law

We'll be rewarding the state that passed it.

[bigtree]

35. but the political influence of our party in that state would be diminished if we move

The idea of going there in the first place was to make a Democratic stand in a state which obviously held conservative views. Leaving now would be a retreat.

[Fumesucker]

28. Yes, from the Time Warner Cable Amphitheater and the Bank of America Stadium..

A fitting pair of venues for the Democratic National Convention in a state that voted to enshrine bigotry into their state constitution.

[bigtree]

34. I can just imagine NC republicans mocking Democrats in their state

"see how much your party cares about you"

I'm against abandoning NC Democrats and running away from NC like we're whipped or afraid to stand and fight. Do what? Go to another state and throw stones at them? It's just a weak move, right now, in my opinion. We knew that NC harbored a sizable conservative voter population when we decided on NC as a convention spot. The very siting was a challenge to all of that. It is to create a (temporary) Democratic bastion of influence in the state in the months leading up to the election and surrounding the actual convention. Nothing changes about that 'in their face' effort with this vote.

[Fumesucker]

38. I for one am really really concerned about what Republicans will say..

Since their attacks are always so grounded in facts and logic..

Just ask John Kerry..

[bigtree]

39. you completely ignored my point

. . . to make your nonsense point. Try taking a break from the jokester stuff and treat posters with some respect, huh?

[Fumesucker]

40. As a vet I didn't think of Purple Heart bandaids as a joke..

Which is why it sticks in my memory so well..

My point is that Republicans can and will mock anything at all if it has to do with Democrats, even vets with a Silver Star for valor and Purple Hearts for being wounded in action. Worrying about what they are going to say is less than pointless, it's counterproductive.

[bigtree]

41. the point, Fumesucker

. . . is that our convention (at least this time around) is meant to be a stand; or a confrontation (if that's possible) to the right-wing in N.C.. I think this vote is even more of a reason to stay and make our party's presence heard.

[lunatica]

27. Hell yes!

[99Forever]

37. Signed...

.. but after what we've seen over the recent past, I expect our opinions to be ignored. It's what self-serving politicians do best.